Surprising trebles from Liam Thomas and Eljay Worrell in recent days have helped the Oakside club remain top of the table

If you had told Redbridge joint-manager Ricky Eaton last week two of his players would score hat-tricks against West Essex and Tower Hamlets, he almost certainly wouldn’t have said they would be from Liam Thomas and Eljay Worrell.

But the Motormen boss isn’t complaining after seeing the Oakside club remain at the summit of the Essex Senior League following two important wins.

On Friday, a treble from centre back Thomas helped overturn a one-goal deficit in a 3-1 home victory over West Essex.

Then last night, Eljay Worrell claimed the match ball after scoring three in a 5-0 triumph away to Tower Hamlets.

Eaton said: “It was a strange one again. We played Eljay on the left of midfield, but switched him to the right midway through and he kept popping up in positions to score.

“To have two hat-tricks in two games is great for us and especially from two people you don’t expect.”

If Worrell’s treble was slightly unexpected, then nobody would have foreseen Thomas taking home the match ball against West Essex.

The visitors took an early lead at Oakside in front of 75 spectators and it remained 1-0 until half time.

But Thomas took on board the recent words of joint-managers Eaton and Joey May by finding the net before doing the same again two times later.

“Liam played in his normal position and it was a surprise to everyone and nobody more than Liam,” laughed Eaton.

“We have asked our centre backs to get more goals because we’ve been fortunate this season to have goals from all areas.

“But we’ve been saying to the defenders we want them to get forward and then Liam gets three in one game, so it was certainly a shock.”

The Motormen boss was pleased with other aspects of the victory, which saw Redbridge again enjoy playing on a Friday night.

Eaton added: “The win always takes preference over anything else, but I was pleased with the crowd we got.

“On a Saturday it probably would have only been around 30, so we managed to more than double it basically and they helped and definitely made a difference, so I was pleased with the victory and the attendance.”

A slight negative from Friday was the fact Redbridge conceded the first goal again, but they put that right on Monday.

Worrell opened the scoring at the Mile End Stadium early in the game before doubling his tally before the break.

Martin Tuohy continued his strong recent form with his second goal for the club after half time to make it 3-0.

Jacob Dingli slotted home to make it four soon after before Worrell provided the icing on the cake with his hat-trick goal from the penalty spot.

Eaton, when reflecting on the two victories, said: “We were really pleased to get the three points against West Essex after going 1-0 down.

“It’s happened quite a few times this season, but we did say it can’t keep happening because eventually it will catch you out.

“The players took that on board at Tower Hamlets and got the first goal and never looked back, so we were really pleased.”

With goals now coming from virtually every position on the pitch, Redbridge look well placed to stay top heading into the festive period.

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